can i extend a non-o visa based on retirement every year? what are the requirements? only the 800K in thai bank account or more?

[piwie]

i am a bit confused now. some agents told me a non-o is just a temporary visa and i must change to another for extension.

i am 62 and want a retirement visa. 1 agent told me he can change my TR visa here in thailand to non-0 first for 3 month and after a short while to non-o based on retirement. can i extend such visa every year at immigration easily with showing only the 800K. in thai bank account?

or do i need  more papers every year and need better an agent.

and the big question is if i need a health insurance for extend this visa type?

thanks for help

 

[Tanoshi]

You cannot extend a Visa, but you can extend the permission of stay granted by entry of a Visa.

The single entry Non O Visa will grant a stay of 90 days, you can then extend that permission of stay for 12 months year after year, subject to meeting the financial requirements.

800K THB deposited in a Thai bank account is one method of meeting the financial requirement.

 

You do not require Health Insurance for the Non O type Visa, nor the annual extensions from that Visa type.

 

It is true you can change an entry from a TV to a Non O at  Immigration offices as a prelude to applying for an annual extension of stay.

 

There is no such class of 'retirement' Visa. 

You can obtain a Non O, or Non O-A Visa based on the purpose of retirement. (Thai Embassies/Consulates).

1 year extensions of permission to stay are permits, not Visas. (Thai Immigration).

[asiacurious]

36 minutes ago, piwie said:

i am a bit confused now. some agents told me a non-o is just a temporary visa and i must change to another for extension.

i am 62 and want a retirement visa. 1 agent told me he can change my TR visa here in thailand to non-0 first for 3 month and after a short while to non-o based on retirement. can i extend such visa every year at immigration easily with showing only the 800K. in thai bank account?

or do i need  more papers every year and need better an agent.

and the big question is if i need a health insurance for extend this visa type?

thanks for help

 

 

Do NOT listen to the agents.  Their goal is to sell you their services and they'll tailor the way they say things to make you feel some anxiety so they can ride in like a knight in shining armor to save the day!

 

 

The truth is, you don't need an agent.  I entered on a Tourist Visa and then later converted (by myself) to an O Visa based on retirement while in Thailand.  

 

Others in the forum will come along soon enough to provide you with helpful information on how you can change from a tourist visa to a 3 month Non-Imm-O visa on your own.

 

Once you have the initial 90 days you can apply for a 1 year extension (and keep applying annually).

 

As Tanoshi already indicated, the extension it isn't called a visa, it's called an extension of the permission to stay.  One way to think about it is this....  When you first apply, they give you a O Visa so you can enter Thailand.  Once you use the visa and enter Thailand, the stamp the visa as "USED" and you can't use it a second time.  The visa is only a single entry visa.  At the same time, they give you stamp letting you stay in Thailand for 90 days.  You can then extend that stay by applying for permission to extend the stay.

 

If you're already in Thailand on a Tourist Visa when you apply for the visa it is basically the same thing.  Immigration will still stamp your passport with a Category "O" Visa, and then they'll immediately stamp USED over that Visa.  THen they'll put another stamp that gives that says "NON-O-RETIREMENT" and gives you permission to stay for 90 days in Thailand.  During the last 30 days of that, you'll apply for an extension of the permission to stay.

[jacko45k]

9 hours ago, piwie said:

i am a bit confused now. some agents told me a non-o is just a temporary visa and i must change to another for extension.

i am 62 and want a retirement visa. 1 agent told me he can change my TR visa here in thailand to non-0 first for 3 month and after a short while to non-o based on retirement. can i extend such visa every year at immigration easily with showing only the 800K. in thai bank account?

or do i need  more papers every year and need better an agent.

and the big question is if i need a health insurance for extend this visa type?

thanks for help

 

The first sentence seems confused. The agent may simply be stating the Non-Imm-O issued in Thailand is a stepping stone to the 12 month retirement extension. A Non-Imm-O Visa entry can be extended for various reasons, retirement being one of them. Then you actually say you have a TR Entry,  what the agent then says is correct. It can be converted to a Non-Imm-O Entry and 2.5 months later apply for a retirement extension. (I hear some agents get it done in one go). That can be extended yearly from that point. Yes 800k on deposit (for 2 months) for the first 12 month extension.... but the conditions for that extension are you keep the 800k minimum for 3 further months , then can use 400k, ie maintain 400k for 7 further months. Then back up to 800k 2 months ahead for the next extension. Clear as mud, I know, many just leave 800k alone for the whole year to  keep it simple. 

No Insurance required for this process.

[Tanoshi]

@piwie

It would help if you told us when you entered Thailand on you TV.

You must have at least 15 days permission of stay left on your entry to apply for the change of Visa status from TV to Non O.

[piwie]

thank you. this was helpful.

i entered thailand on 28.11.20 and have the permission with my tr visa until 26.1.21.

am i right ... when i get this non-o visa  within the next 2 or 3 weeks and leave thailand in february i can come back with this visa and enter thailand 1 time before the the visa expire. so before 3 month. if i do like this i don't need multiple entry until this point.

than i can extend my permission of stay here in thailand at the immigration for 1 year , with some extra fees also multiple entry.

for this  visa include the extension of stay the agent want about 35k. is it so much cheaper direct at the immigration?

thanks again.

[Peter Denis]

34 minutes ago, piwie said:

...

i entered thailand on 28.11.20 and have the permission with my tr visa until 26.1.21.

am i right ... when i get this non-o visa  within the next 2 or 3 weeks and leave thailand in february i can come back with this visa and enter thailand 1 time before the the visa expire. so before 3 month. if i do like this i don't need multiple entry until this point.

than i can extend my permission of stay here in thailand at the immigration for 1 year , with some extra fees also multiple entry.

for this  visa include the extension of stay the agent want about 35k. is it so much cheaper direct at the immigration?

thanks again.

So you entered Thailand on 28 Nov with a 60-day Tourist Visa, and were stamped in with a permission to stay till 26 January.

When you want to stay long-term in Thailand, what you need to do end December/beginning of January is to apply at the local Immigration Office of the province where you intend to stay for the 90-day Non Imm O Visa for reason of retirement.  This has to be done when you still have at least 15 days left on your permission to stay (some IOs require 23 days).

It is a simple process and unless you are not able to meet the financial requirements for that application, there is NO need to engage an Agent (the main service of the agent being to circumvent that financial requirement).

The application starts with an 'under consideration' period and at the end of that period - approx 2 weeks - you need to re-visit the Immigration Office where you applied and you will get the Non Imm O Visa based 90-day permission to stay stamp in your passport.

In the last month of the 90-day permission to stay, you will then need to apply for the 1-year extension of stay based on that Non Imm O Visa, and this needs to be done at the same IO where you applied for the original Visa.

> I did PM you a comprehensive Guideline document which outlines the above process in much more detail, including the different methods that can be used to meet the financial requirements of that Non Imm O Visa application and subsequent 1-year extension.

To access your PM-messages just click the letter-icon next to your Profile when logged in to the Forum

 

[Tanoshi]

2 hours ago, piwie said:

i entered thailand on 28.11.20 and have the permission with my tr visa until 26.1.21.

am i right ... when i get this non-o visa  within the next 2 or 3 weeks and leave thailand in february i can come back with this visa and enter thailand 1 time before the the visa expire. so before 3 month. if i do like this i don't need multiple entry until this point.

than i can extend my permission of stay here in thailand at the immigration for 1 year , with some extra fees also multiple entry.

for this  visa include the extension of stay the agent want about 35k. is it so much cheaper direct at the immigration?

May I enquire why you intend to leave Thailand in February after only just arriving and are you aware you will need to jump through all the hoop again (COE, Covid test, quarantine) to re-enter again.

Also what is your expected date of return.

 

To answer some points in your post.

You must have a Non O type Visa in order to apply for a 1 year extension of stay.

As you entered on a TV, fortunately Immigration offer a service to change that Visa type to that of the Non O type in order to then apply for the annual extension of your permission to stay.

You must have 15 days remaining permission of stay to apply for the change of Visa status (TV to Non O), so in your case it would be best to apply either between Xmas and New Year, or immediately after the new Year.

Do you have a Thai bank account and have you transferred the required 800K THB?

 

The cost at Immigration for the Non O application is 2,000 baht.

It takes approximate 14 days to process and approve your application.

The Non O would be dated to start after your current permission of stay expires on 26/1/2021.

You should therefor be granted further permission to stay from 26/1 to 25/4 (90 days).

Unlike a Non O Visa issued by a Thai Embassy/Consulate which allows 1 entry, the Non O stamp issued by Thai Immigration does not allow any entries, but you can purchase a re-entry permit separately, which allows a re-enter before 25/4 and on entry you will be stamped in again until 25/4.

To apply for the Non O you also must have 800K deposited in a Thai bank at the time of application.

The procedure for changing your Visa type from TV to Non O is here;

Non O retirement.pdf

 

 

Once you have a Non O, you can apply to extend your permission of stay for 1 year, again dated from the expiry date of your Non O, i.e. from 25/4/2012 until 25/4/2022.

All extension applications cost 1,900 baht regardless of whether it's for 30,60, or 365 days.

Re -entry permits are 1,000 baht for a single entry and 3,800 for a multiple re-entry.

Annual extension application can be submitted up to 30 days (45 at certain IO's) in advance of the expiry date.

If using the 800K baht in a Thai bank method, the 800K must be seasoned in a Thai bank account for 2 months prior to the date of application, then must remain untouched for the next 3 months, thereafter you can withdraw up to 400K but must leave a minimum of 400K in the account for the following 7 months, before topping up to 800K again 2 months prior to your next 1year application.

1 year extensions based on retirement are issued whilst you wait in most cases.

35-2561 change 327-2557 Criteria (2019) Eng.pdf

Clause (4).

 

Agents are a rip off if meet the requirements and have the required funding.

Non O application 2,000 BHT.

Single re-entry permit 1,000 BHT.

 

1 year extension application 1,900 BHT.

Multi re-entry permit 3,800 BHT. (If you don't intending leaving and re-entering Thailand 4 times or more in a 12 month period, then purchasing a single re-entry permit for each entry is cheaper)

 

[HarrySeaman]

As others have said you can get an extension to stay, which is also called a retirement visa.

The Pattaya City Expat Club has an excellent section on Thai Immigration where you can find all the requirements for what you need to get the extension to stay.  You mouse over "THAI IMMIGRATION" from the list across the top of the Home page then mouse over "EXTENDING STAY" and then you can click on "RETIREMENT".   You can also select "CHONBURI IMMIGRATION" for the specific details for the Chonburi/Pattaya area.

 

Pattaya City Expat Club

 

One requirement that needs to me made clear is that the first time you apply you will should have a special 800,000 Bt bank account in your name only.  If you try to use a joint account only half the money deposited will be accepted by immigration.  Very importantly, you also need to keep a minimum of 800,000 Bt in that bank account for 2 months prior to your first application for a retirement visa if you are using the 800,000 Bt deposit method of showing that you have enough funds to live in Thailand.  The account balance must then remain more than 800,000 Bt for 3 months after the retirement visa is granted and the minimum balance must remain 400,000 or more the next 8 months.  You then need to increase the balance to the 800,000 Bt minimum again and keep it there for at least 3 months prior to applying for your application of an extension of your retirement visa.

[Peter Denis]

40 minutes ago, HarrySeaman said:

...

Very importantly, you also need to keep a minimum of 800,000 Bt in that bank account for 2 months prior to your first application for a retirement visa if you are using the 800,000 Bt deposit method of showing that you have enough funds to live in Thailand.  The account balance must then remain more than 800,000 Bt for 3 months after the retirement visa is granted and the minimum balance must remain 400,000 or more the next 8 months.  You then need to increase the balance to the 800,000 Bt minimum again and keep it there for at least 3 months prior to applying for your application of an extension of your retirement visa.

Useful and informative post - thanks.

One correction however > In the very last sentence, you mention that when using the Funds-in-Bank method that  you need to top up again to +800K in the last 3 months prior to applying for the 1-year extension of stay application based on your original Non Imm O (or O-A) Visa for reason of retirement.

But note that since 1 March of last year this has been changed, and that only TWO months of  +800K are required prior to the moment of application

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, Peter Denis said:

But note that since 1 March of this year

It was done last year.

[Peter Denis]

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It was done last year.

Thanks, and I corrected my post accordingly...

[Tanoshi]

49 minutes ago, HarrySeaman said:

As others have said you can get an extension to stay, which is also called a retirement visa.

Nowhere on an extension does the word 'Visa' appear, that's because it's a 'permit' to stay.

Immigration and agents may refer to it as a 'Visa' simply because they think a foreign is to stupid to know the difference and they can't be bothered explaining the differences, probably because they don't know either.

[WashingUpagain]

Hello everyone. Just a quickie from me too...when the covid restrictions are over, I intend to retire in Thailand. Can I enter on a normal 30 day visa exempt stay and apply for a Non O from with Thailand? and then apply to extend it.

[Tanoshi]

2 minutes ago, WashingUpagain said:

Hello everyone. Just a quickie from me too...when the covid restrictions are over, I intend to retire in Thailand. Can I enter on a normal 30 day visa exempt stay and apply for a Non O from with Thailand? and then apply to extend it.

Yes you can.

As opposed to completing form TM 86 when entering on a Tourist Visa to change the status to a Non O, you can apply for the Non O when entering Visa exempt, but complete form TM 87.

Non O retirement.pdf

 

You can also extend the 30 day entry from a VE for a further 30 days (1,900 BHT) granting more time to open a bank account and sort out your finances.

[WashingUpagain]

Thank you Tanoshi. So when you state "you can apply for the Non O when entering Visa exempt, but complete form TM 87"... I would just need to go to my local IO (Chiang Rai probably) and complete the form ?

[Tanoshi]

13 minutes ago, WashingUpagain said:

Thank you Tanoshi. So when you state "you can apply for the Non O when entering Visa exempt, but complete form TM 87"... I would just need to go to my local IO (Chiang Rai probably) and complete the form ?

TM87 for the Non O application and TM7 for any and all extension applications attached here;

TM87.pdf

TM 7 Extension of Stay.pdf

 

You can download other Immigration forms from this link;

 Immigration Templates - Thai visas, residency and work permits - Thailand Visa Forum by Thai Visa | The Nation .

 

Other useful information, such as Police Orders and Thai Immigration Act on this link;

Laws, regulations, Police Orders, etc - Thai visas, residency and work permits - Thailand Visa Forum by Thai Visa | The Nation

 

[WashingUpagain]

You're so kind, thanks again Tanoshi.

[Peter Denis]

1 hour ago, WashingUpagain said:

Hello everyone. Just a quickie from me too...when the covid restrictions are over, I intend to retire in Thailand. Can I enter on a normal 30 day visa exempt stay and apply for a Non O from with Thailand? and then apply to extend it.

Hi, @Tanoshi already provided you with a detailed answer on your question.  I did PM you a comprehensive guideline document outlining same, but might be useful as it goes in more depth in the various options for meeting the financial requirement.

> In order to access your PM-messages just click the letter-icon next to your Profile when logged into the Forum

[Hoppyone]

23 hours ago, piwie said:

thank you. this was helpful.

i entered thailand on 28.11.20 and have the permission with my tr visa until 26.1.21.

am i right ... when i get this non-o visa  within the next 2 or 3 weeks and leave thailand in february i can come back with this visa and enter thailand 1 time before the the visa expire. so before 3 month. if i do like this i don't need multiple entry until this point.

than i can extend my permission of stay here in thailand at the immigration for 1 year , with some extra fees also multiple entry.

for this  visa include the extension of stay the agent want about 35k. is it so much cheaper direct at the immigration?

thanks again.

Find a new agent there ripping you off at 35k

[RocketDog]

15 hours ago, WashingUpagain said:

Hello everyone. Just a quickie from me too...when the covid restrictions are over, I intend to retire in Thailand. Can I enter on a normal 30 day visa exempt stay and apply for a Non O from with Thailand? and then apply to extend it.

Contact @Peter Denis by PM and he'll send you a very concise and comprehensive PDF that will clearly outline all your options and each step to take. Tons of ancillary info on timing and insurance and bank letters as well. It's invaluable and he is constantly updating it. 

[gt162]

15 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

TM87 for the Non O application and TM7 for any and all extension applications attached here;

TM87.pdf 76.15 kB · 4 downloads

TM 7 Extension of Stay.pdf 137.22 kB · 2 downloads

 

You can download other Immigration forms from this link;

 Immigration Templates - Thai visas, residency and work permits - Thailand Visa Forum by Thai Visa | The Nation .

 

Other useful information, such as Police Orders and Thai Immigration Act on this link;

Laws, regulations, Police Orders, etc - Thai visas, residency and work permits - Thailand Visa Forum by Thai Visa | The Nation

 

 

When applying with VE or TV to Non O for 3 months and then 12 month extension requires 800K in Thai bank as noted but can I use pension letter or other proof from my former employer stating I'm getting >65K month for rest of my life as an American?  Since US embassy stop giving letters of pension/finance the only option is 800K in Thai bank?

[Peter Denis]

56 minutes ago, gt162 said:

 

When applying with VE or TV to Non O for 3 months and then 12 month extension requires 800K in Thai bank as noted but can I use pension letter or other proof from my former employer stating I'm getting >65K month for rest of my life as an American?  Since US embassy stop giving letters of pension/finance the only option is 800K in Thai bank?

US, UK and Australian citizens cannot use the Embassy issued income-letter method as their Embassies do not issue these letters anymore.

Those citizens when applying for the 1-year extension of stay of their Non Imm O (or O-A) Visa can make use of the following methods to meet the financial requirements:

- Funds-in-Bank method > easiest way as neither origins or source of those funds need to be proven to the IO

- Monthly Income Transfer method > requires transfer each and every month of at least the minimum amount with foreign origins of those transfers proven.  Also the Imm officer handling your application can ask for evidence of the SOURCE of those transfers (some IOs only accept a pension statement)

- Combination method > as the name says a combination of both methods, but not all IOs accept the use of that method so need to enquire beforehand when considering to make use of it.

[piwie]

1 hour ago, Peter Denis said:

US, UK and Australian citizens cannot use the Embassy issued income-letter method as their Embassies do not issue these letters anymore.

Those citizens when applying for the 1-year extension of stay of their Non Imm O (or O-A) Visa can make use of the following methods to meet the financial requirements:

- Funds-in-Bank method > easiest way as neither origins or source of those funds need to be proven to the IO

- Monthly Income Transfer method > requires transfer each and every month of at least the minimum amount with foreign origins of those transfers proven.  Also the Imm officer handling your application can ask for evidence of the SOURCE of those transfers (some IOs only accept a pension statement)

- Combination method > as the name says a combination of both methods, but not all IOs accept the use of that method so need to enquire beforehand when considering to make use of it.

thank you again. all where very helpful.

the problem is i am in samui now. i was there at immigration office and told them what i want really clearly explained.  but they refuse to change a TR visa to non - o  and say i have to do it out of thailand only.

i went to the next officer and she also refused. after my complain she said she would ask her boss within the next days and i need to come back later.

what can i do if they refuse?

[HarrySeaman]

22 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

Useful and informative post - thanks.

One correction however > In the very last sentence, you mention that when using the Funds-in-Bank method that  you need to top up again to +800K in the last 3 months prior to applying for the 1-year extension of stay application based on your original Non Imm O (or O-A) Visa for reason of retirement.

But note that since 1 March of last year this has been changed, and that only TWO months of  +800K are required prior to the moment of application

I guess I am just out of date in more ways than one.  ????

Thanks for the correction.  ????

[ubonjoe]

17 minutes ago, piwie said:

the problem is i am in samui now. i was there at immigration office and told them what i want really clearly explained.  but they refuse to change a TR visa to non - o  and say i have to do it out of thailand only.

The problem is that the rules for a visa application have not been changed. They only show a letter from your embassy for the application.

It should be accepted if you have 2 or 3 months of transfers of at least 65k baht into a Thai bank from abroad. Even for a extension stay application they want to see 12 months of transfers.

[JimGant]

On 12/18/2020 at 10:02 AM, piwie said:

when i get this non-o visa  within the next 2 or 3 weeks and leave thailand in february i can come back with this visa and enter thailand 1 time before the the visa expire. so before 3 month. if i do like this i don't need multiple entry until this point.

A lot of detailed replies here, so maybe I'm being redundant:

First off, with 800k in the bank, with no seasoning required -- but with applicable bank coding to show funds came from abroad -- you'll get  your in-country Non Imm O visa, which is immediately stamped "Used", but which has a 90 day permission of stay stamp attached (in this case, until 4/25/2021). So, if, as you indicate, you're going to travel -- you'll need a re-entry permit to re-enter the country, and thus to keep your Non Imm O permission of stay alive until 4/25/2021.

[gt162]

3 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

US, UK and Australian citizens cannot use the Embassy issued income-letter method as their Embassies do not issue these letters anymore.

Those citizens when applying for the 1-year extension of stay of their Non Imm O (or O-A) Visa can make use of the following methods to meet the financial requirements:

- Funds-in-Bank method > easiest way as neither origins or source of those funds need to be proven to the IO

- Monthly Income Transfer method > requires transfer each and every month of at least the minimum amount with foreign origins of those transfers proven.  Also the Imm officer handling your application can ask for evidence of the SOURCE of those transfers (some IOs only accept a pension statement)

- Combination method > as the name says a combination of both methods, but not all IOs accept the use of that method so need to enquire beforehand when considering to make use of it.

 

Just curious, why US, UK and Australian embassies don't provide income letter for retirement like they did before?

[gt162]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

The problem is that the rules for a visa application have not been changed. They only show a letter from your embassy for the application.

It should be accepted if you have 2 or 3 months of transfers of at least 65k baht into a Thai bank from abroad. Even for a extension stay application they want to see 12 months of transfers.

 

Joe, If arrived with TV and open an account with Bangkok Bank and  deposit > 65K per month immediately and than apply for Non O entry based on retirement for another 2 months for total of 4 months of >65K foreign money transfers should meet the requirement for 12 month extension or do I need show 12 months of >65K/mo to get that  extension in Jomtien?

[ubonjoe]

12 minutes ago, gt162 said:

Just curious, why US, UK and Australian embassies don't provide income letter for retirement like they did before?

Because immigration wanted the income confirmed by them and they were unable to copy with that requirement due to restrictions on what they are able to do.

That was discussed to death over 2 years ago.